Authorities rescue 2 first-time kayakers from White River in Morgan County

MORGAN COUNTY, Ind. — Authorities rescued two first-time kayakers from the White River early Thursday morning in Morgan County.

According to the Martinsville Fire Department, multiple agencies responded around 1:21 a.m. to the Henderson Ford public access site on the White River to search for two kayakers who were reported missing and were reportedly separated from each other.

MFD said one of the kayakers managed to contact the Morgan County Public Safety Dispatch to report the situation and request assistance. Dispatch then utilized Rapid Deploy to determine a GPS location.

When law enforcement arrived on the scene, they came into contact with the second kayaker, who confirmed that she was safe and out of the water on a sandbar. Authorities then deployed two boats to retrieve both kayakers and brought them to safety.

Photos of the rescue can be viewed below:

The total response time took just under an hour. MFD also took the opportunity to urge water safety after learning that both kayakers did not bring Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) with them and that it was their first time kayaking on the White River.

The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police and Indiana DNR also assisted.

“Although paddling is enjoyed safely by thousands each year, water trails still present dangers that can result in injury or death,” MFD said. “Drowning is the leading cause of death in paddling accidents.”